How to pass the DELE B1 in 2 months — Study plan

Updated January 2025 · 11 min read

Is it possible to pass the DELE B1 in 2 months?

Yes, but with conditions. This plan is designed for candidates who already have a solid A2 level or a low B1. If you're starting from zero, two months won't be enough. You need a foundation that includes past tenses, everyday vocabulary, and the ability to maintain simple conversations.

The plan requires 2-3 hours of daily study, 6 days a week. That's approximately 100-140 total hours of exam-specific preparation. If you can dedicate more time, even better. If you only have 1 hour per day, consider extending the timeline to 3-4 months.

Before you start: assess your level

Before diving into the plan, take a complete practice exam under real conditions (with a timer). This will give you crucial information:

• Which tests are you closest to passing?
• What are your specific weak points?
• Are you managing time well in each test?

Remember that you need at least 60% in each group of tests (reading + listening, and writing + speaking). Identify where you need the most work and adjust the plan accordingly.

Weeks 1-2: Foundations and diagnosis

Goals

• Familiarize yourself with the exact format of each test
• Reinforce key B1 grammar
• Establish a daily study routine

Daily plan (2.5 hours)

1. Grammar (45 min): Review one grammar topic per day. Prioritize: past tense contrasts, present subjunctive (wishes and opinions), conditional, discourse connectors.
2. Vocabulary (30 min): Learn 15-20 new words per day organized by topic. Use flashcards with example sentences.
3. Format practice (45 min): Complete one reading or listening task each day, analyzing why the correct answers are correct.
4. Writing or speaking (30 min): Alternate between writing a short text and practicing 2-3 minute monologues on everyday topics.

Priority grammar for these weeks

• Pretérito indefinido vs. imperfecto (narrating in the past)
• Pretérito perfecto (experiences, recent actions)
• Simple future (predictions, plans)
• Conditional (advice, hypotheses)
• Present subjunctive (quiero que, es importante que, no creo que)

Weeks 3-4: Intensive skill-based practice

Goals

• Improve reading speed and comprehension
• Develop active listening strategies
• Practice writing with structure and connectors

Daily plan (2.5 hours)

1. Listening comprehension (45 min): Listen to one DELE audio each day. First without pausing, then with pauses to verify answers. Supplement with Spanish podcasts at normal speed.
2. Reading comprehension (45 min): Complete 2 timed reading tasks. Practice scanning (searching for specific information) and skimming (getting the general idea).
3. Written expression (30 min): Write one complete text (task 1 or task 2) respecting word limits. Review it the next day with fresh eyes.
4. Vocabulary and grammar (30 min): Review errors from previous exercises. Add new vocabulary you encounter in practice texts.

Key strategies for listening comprehension

• Read the questions BEFORE listening to the audio
• On the first listen, look for the general idea
• On the second listen, confirm specific details
• Don't freeze if you miss a word — keep going
• Practice with different accents (Spain, Mexico, Argentina)

Weeks 5-6: Mock exams and correction

Goals

• Take complete exams under real conditions
• Identify and correct recurring errors
• Improve time management

Weekly plan

• Monday and Thursday: Complete mock of one full test (entire reading or entire listening, timed)
• Tuesday and Friday: Detailed correction of the mock + work on weak points
• Wednesday and Saturday: Written expression practice (2 texts) and oral practice (record yourself responding to exam tasks)

How to correct your mock exams

1. Note each error and classify it: was it vocabulary, grammar, comprehension, or time management?
2. For comprehension errors, go back to the text/audio and locate exactly where the answer is
3. Keep a log of repeated errors — those are your priority
4. If a particular task type is especially difficult, dedicate extra sessions to it

Weeks 7-8: Refinement and confidence

Goals

• Complete at least 2 full exams under real exam conditions
• Polish oral expression
• Consolidate strategies and time management

Full mock exams

Take a minimum of 2 complete exams (all 4 tests in sequence) simulating real conditions: no dictionary, with a timer, no breaks between tasks within the same test. This helps you manage fatigue and stress.

Oral expression: final preparation

• Record yourself doing all 4 tasks of the oral test
• Listen back and detect filler words, long pauses, or recurring grammar errors
• Practice with a partner or teacher if possible
• Prepare useful phrases to buy time: "Bueno, en mi opinión...", "Por un lado... por otro lado...", "Me gustaría añadir que..."

The final week before the exam

The week before the exam is not the time to learn new things. Your goal is to consolidate and arrive well-rested:

1. Monday-Wednesday: Light review of vocabulary and grammar. Do one loose task from each test to maintain rhythm.
2. Thursday: Final partial mock (only the tests where you feel less confident).
3. Friday: Review strategies and useful phrases. Prepare everything you need for exam day (ID, pens, water).
4. Saturday (if exam is Sunday): Rest. Go for a walk, watch a movie in Spanish, no intensive studying.

Recommended resources

• Exam models: Official ones from Instituto Cervantes (available on their website) and from publishers like Edelsa and Difusión
• Grammar: "Gramática de uso del español" (SM) or "Aula" (Difusión)
• Vocabulary: B1 thematic word lists + flashcard apps
• Listening: Podcasts like "Hoy hablamos", "Notes in Spanish", RTVE news
• Exam practice: DELE B1 Practice (app with exercises in real exam format)

Final tips

• Consistency beats intensity: 2 hours every day is better than 8 hours in one day
• Don't neglect any test: you need to pass both groups
• Practice handwriting if your exam is on paper
• In the oral test, speaking with errors is better than staying silent
• Manage stress: the DELE can be retaken, it's not the end of the world